Rishabh Pant steps down as Lucknow Super Giants captain (Img: Internet)
New Delhi: Rishabh Pant has stepped down as captain of Lucknow Super Giants, with the franchise confirming that the decision has taken immediate effect.
The development comes after Pant led the side for two seasons following his high-profile move to the franchise during the IPL mega auction, where he became the most expensive player in league history.
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In an official statement, Lucknow Super Giants said Pant had personally requested to be relieved of leadership responsibilities and the management had accepted his decision.
The franchise thanked Pant for his contribution as captain and indicated that the focus would now shift toward rebuilding the squad and improving overall team performance.
LSG Director of Cricket Tom Moody described the decision as difficult for both the player and the franchise. He said Pant had approached the management directly and that the team respected his choice.
Pant joined Lucknow Super Giants after being bought for ₹27 crore during the IPL mega auction, making him the costliest player in IPL auction history at the time.
The wicketkeeper-batter arrived with massive expectations due to his reputation as one of India’s leading white-ball players and an experienced captain. However, the franchise struggled to produce consistent performances during his tenure.
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In IPL 2025, Lucknow Super Giants finished seventh on the points table under Pant’s leadership. The batter scored 269 runs during the season at an average of 24.45 and a strike rate of 133.17.
His unbeaten century against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final league match remained one of the few standout moments of the campaign.
The struggles continued in IPL 2026 as LSG ended the season at the bottom of the table. Pant managed 312 runs in 14 matches at an average of 28.36 with a strike rate of 138.05. He registered only one score above fifty during the season.
The franchise is now expected to begin discussions regarding a new captain and possible restructuring ahead of the next IPL season.
